ROSSVILLE -- In much of America, people are accustomed to seeing girls playing team sports such as softball and basketball.

But football? With the exception of a few tackle football programs, and an occasional placekicker, there hasn’t been a major push by females to the gridiron.

Locally, perhaps, that may change.

The Gator Federation, a non-profit organization that contains many youth sports teams including baseball and men’s flag football, launched an all-girls flag football team, the Barracudas, last fall. And, starting in July, it will be holding a clinic for girls ages 4 to 14 who are interested in joining the team.

The Barracudas, coached by Ana Killoran, went 6-2 last season, competing against co-ed teams and even all boys teams in the 9/11 Flag Football League, held at Bloomingdale Park. The girls had high praise for Ms. Killoran, saying in the team pledge, "Coach Ana has showed us all, and has demonstrated on every occasion, just how intense and passionate she is about being our flag football coach."

Dina Bianco, the director of the program, says the clinic will help prepare new girls for the team.

"Some girls want to play, but they’re not ready to play competitively, so we thought that the clinic would be a good idea for them." she said.

According to Ms. Bianco, the flag football team allows the girls to feel a sense of belonging, because they may be apprehensive about joining teams where they are the only girl.

"The spirit generated with flag football, and the winning, united us as a team and made us understand that we can conquer anything if we have SPIRIT."

Twenty-five girls have signed up for the clinic, which surprised Ms. Bianco, because the Barracudas had not formally advertised. She says that the sudden rise in interest is due completely to word of mouth.

Ms. Bianco adds that one of the benefits of playing in the Federation is the absence of competitive pressure.

"It gives them an opportunity to understand the sport," Ms. Bianco said. "They don’t have to worry about the pressure of a game, but they still get to play."

The clinics serve an athletic purpose, but their importance runs deeper than that.

"It is for kids who couldn’t play competitively, were afraid to, or weren’t ready," Ms. Bianco said.

One of the biggest boosts to the program has been the support of the parents. Ms. Bianco calls them "the best parents in the league" because many of them are actively involved with the program, even taking coaching positions.

Denise DiBerardino, whose 9-year-old daughter, Lucia, plays quarterback on the team, thinks the program is important because it allows the girls to play a sport where they have an element of control.

"Football gives them the freedom to make their own choices at any given time on the field," Ms. DiBerardino said. "They are in charge, they make the decisions, and experience the result; some good, some bad."

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The clinic starts July 15 at Bloomingdale Park from 9-11:30 a.m. The cost is $75, and the registration form to sign up can be found at the team website, nygators.com/clincs.

There will also be a sign-up session Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at Bloomingdale Park.